In the last week, the song "Forever Country" has stormed the charts. The song is a mash-up of John Denver's "Country Road Take Me Home", Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You", and Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again", and features almost 30 of the most successful country artists of the past few decades. I've decided to make a playlist of each of these artists' signatures songs that you need to hear.
Brad Paisley- "Whiskey Lullaby"
Paired with Alison Krauss's beautiful, breathy voice, Brad Paisley's "Whiskey Lullaby" tells the story of a man who commits suicide. The second verse deals with his lover, who commits suicide because of his suicide. It's really sad, and really beautiful.
Keith Urban- "Somebody Like You"
With a raging banjo underneath, Keith Urban perfectly crafts a "windows down" sing-a-long jam.
Tim McGraw- "Live Like You Were Dying"
This song was a huge freakin' hit. It tells the story of a man who finds out he is about to die, and all the things he did with his time left.
Faith Hill- "This Kiss"
This song shot Faith Hill to superstardom, and for good reason! It's super fun and makes use of ridiculously big words.
Little Big Town- "Girl Crush"
Remember when all those people got mad at this song because they though it was about lesbians? Remember when radio banned it? Remember how it still went #1 and won two GRAMMYs? Yeah. This song is unstoppable.
Luke Bryan- "Drunk on You"
If you can get past the horrible line "Girl, you make my speakers go boom boom", this song is pretty good.
Miranda Lambert- "The House That Built Me"
Gosh. This song is one of my favorite's of all time. It perfectly tells the story of a girl who goes back to her childhood home to get her priorities back in line.
Blake Shelton- "God Gave Me You"
Blake Shelton released this cover of Christian artist Dave Barnes's "God Gave Me You" in 2011, and inspired millions to renew their wedding vows.
George Strait- "Run"
Ok. So I know this wasn't George Strait's most successful song, but he has so many good ones to choose from. I decided to pick my favorite.
Kacey Musgraves- "Merry Go Round"
Like so many songs in Kacey Musgraves's catalog, "Merry Go Round" is almost an anti-country song, thematically. It talks of smalltown life, but not in glowing pride like country songs usually do.
Eric Church- "Springsteen"
This song set the world on fire in 2012. The pounding drum. The subtle piano. It's a modern country classic.
Ronnie Milsap- "Smoky Mountain Rain"
This 1980 track is an absolute country classic.
Charley Pride- "Kiss an Angel Good Morning"
What a blast from the past.
Dierks Bentley- "What Was I Thinkin'"
This song does what country songs do best by telling a story. You almost feel yourself getting nervous for Dierks and the girl if her father caught them.
Trisha Yearwood- "She's in Love with the Boy"
This song sounds like it the perfect combination of retro Taylor Swift and the Dixie Chicks. And that's the best combination.
Lady Antebellum- "Need You Now"
I hate to break it to you...but this song is 100% about a booty call.
Darius Rucker- "Alright"
A lot of people were skeptical when Darius Rucker decided to wade into country music, after many years with Hootie and the Blowfish. "Alright" was his debut single and it made everyone feel like it was going to be fine (or alright, whatever).
Jason Aldean- "Big Green Tractor"
Looking back, this song is fairly stupid. But it brings back so many memories. They legitimately played this at all of my high school dances. Romaaaance.
Rascal Flatts- "What Hurts the Most"
Next time you're with a group of friends, play this song and watch them scream it at the top of their lungs.
Willie Nelson- "Always on My Mind"
The song has been covered so many times, I've lost count. In fact, Nelson's version is a cover, itself, but it was the most successful country song of 1982. It won him two CMAs and a GRAMMY.
Brooks & Dunn- "Believe"
This song is just epic, and can bring you out of your darkest place.
Alabama- "Mountain Music"
Alabama is the only country group to best the Dixie Chicks in the harmony department.
Brett Eldredge- "Mean to Me"
I'm not the biggest Brett Eldredge fan (and I'm not sure why he's in "Forever Country"), but this song is so cute.
Reba McEntire- "Fancy"
An all-time country classic. If you don't know this song by heart, get yourself together!
Alan Jackson- "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)"
Alan Jackson has many, many great songs (my favorite is "Drive"), but this song is, ultimately, his best. Written in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks, this song takes a glimpse into all different perspectives.
Vince Gill- "Go Rest on That High Mountain"
Written in the aftermath of two loved ones' deaths, Vince Gill penned "Go Rest on That High Mountain" and it's just as powerful 20 years later.
Carrie Underwood- "Jesus, Take the Wheel"
This song catapulted Carrie Underwood into a stardom after winning American Idol. I could have chosen a lot of songs to put here, but "Jesus, Take the Wheel" is the original fan favorite.
Dolly Parton- "Jolene"
The Queen of Country Music has so many all-time classics, but "Jolene" is the song that shows off her stellar voice, as well as her songwriting chops. No one can ever beat Dolly.
